Improvement in paper-files



y GEORGE W. BLIIOW, OF SHELBSCOHIO.

IMPRcvEMENr IN PAPER-FILES.

Speeication forming part of Letters Patent No. 134,724, dated January14, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. BILLow,

residingin Shelby, in the county of Richland and State of Ohio, haveinvented an Improved Combined Paper-File, of which the following is aspecification:

This invention relates to an instrument combining in a compact form apaper-file, wallhook, desk-stand, and clasp 5 and the nature thereofconsists of a plate or support, with a spring affixed toits rear side,and hooks supplied to its opposite one in such a manner as to be actedupon by the said spring either when at rest or while being broughttogether and thrown apart, substantially as hereinafter more fully setforth.

In the annexed drawing, Figure I illustrates a plan view, and Fig. 2 alongitudinal vertical section, of my instrument.

Corresponding parts in both of the gures are illustrated by similarletters.

A refers to a plate or support-,bf any desired contour and configurationto suit the taste and give beautyof appearance to it. To the rear orback side of this support, and fastened by any known means at the endsand center, or thereabout, are arranged springs B, made preferablyiiat.In lieu o f the springs may be substituted a single one. C C refer totwo hooks or'braekets the free ends of which are beveled and flattenedso as to overlap each other, enabling them to occupy a space no greaterthan that iilled by any one of the said hooks in a cross-section. rlheopposite ends of the said hooks are setinto or formed with angularshoulders or shanks. To receive the said ends slots are cut in the plateA, one at each end, the axles or pivots of the former entering the wallsof the said slots. The angular shoulders or shanks of the hook C, whichprotrude through the plate A by reason of its slots, rest against Vthespring B, so as that the latter may act to hold them rigidly in placewhen brought together or thrown apart. Each of these hooks or bracketsconsists of a bar bent in such a manner as that one arm thereof shall beat a right angle with the other one, substantially `as shown in thedrawing.

Through this construction a twofold use of the instrument iseffectedzvThat of a paper or letter file, as shown in Fig. 1, the freeends thereof-the hooks-' bein g brought together; and that of adesk-stand, as shown in Fig. 2, the ends of the saine being thrown apartor standing upright. When the free ends of the said hooks stand in theposition just ascribed to them the arms of the opposite ends thereof,which occupy a horizontal position, enter and rest in concavities orgrooves a a made in the plate A. Under the form of a paper-le it alsoacts as a clasp, which is too obvious for further elucidation. By thisconstruction and arrangement a double paper or letter le is alsoobtained, by which certain letters, when desired, may be kept separatefrom others.

Great convenience is experienced, and the removal of any oneA or more ofthe lettersfrom the iile to und any certain one is avoided in the use ofmy device, as it will be observed that when any required letter orletters is to be removed, all above that letter, instead of being takenoff the hook upon which they are strung, can be slid over upon the otherhook, and the said letter be separately removed,the hook upon which itis tiled being slightly separated from its fellow, leaving or creating aspace for its disengagement from the tile.

To use this device as a wall-hook, construct it with an opening oropenings, a a', so as that it may be suspended from a nail or otherprojection in the wall and extend its upper hook, leaving the lower oneready to receive any article it may be desired to suspend therefrom.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is.

The letter or paper file composed of the support A, hooks G, and springsB, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name this lst day ofNovember, A. D. 1872, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.`

GEORGE W. BILLOW.

Witnesses:

G. I?. REYNoLDs, WM. SLAYBAUGH.

